Nipah virus is a rare but dangerous infection that spreads from animals like fruit bats to humans sometimes through contaminated food or close contact with infected people. After entering the body it usually takes about five to 14 days for symptoms to appear. The illness can start with fever and headache and may quickly worsen into serious breathing problems or brain inflammation encephalitis which can be fatal in severe cases.
What’s Happening in India
India has confirmed a small cluster of Nipah virus cases in the eastern state of West Bengal including some among healthcare workers.
Local health authorities say the situation is contained with contacts traced and monitored, and there’s no evidence of widespread community spread at this point.
Why It’s Getting Global Attention
Nipah is considered especially serious because
It’s a zoonotic virus spread from animals fruit bats primarily to humans, and occasionally between people.
There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
It has a high fatality rate between 40% and 75% in past outbreaks.
Because of this, health authorities classify it as a priority pathogen with epidemic potential.
Regional and Global
Response So Far Several countries across Asia including Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal Indonesia, Vietnam and others have stepped up health screenings at airports and land borders to detect fever and other symptoms in travelers from affected regions.
Some nations are reactivating COVID era surveillance measures and advising enhanced vigilance. What Experts Say
Nipah can cause severe illness including fever respiratory symptoms and neurological complications like encephalitis. Its potential for person to person spread exists but it doesn’t currently seem to spread as easily as respiratory viruses like COVID-19.
